Poseidonis: Tales of Lost Atlantis, by Clark Ashton Smith: **7/8

I finally had the chance to read some of Clark Ashton Smith's short stories. The writing is excellent, with good imagery, unique ideas, and some good stories. This collection includes all of Smith's stories about 'lost worlds', beginning with several related to Atlantis and several others about Lemuria and other similar locations, distant cultures, etc. I enjoyed several of the isolated stories ('The Root of Ampoi', 'Venus of Azombeii', 'The Willow Landscape') more than most of the Atlantis ones, though those were good as well. 'The Invisible City' was easily my favorite, largely because it feels like a precursor to Gene Wolfe's work, with the sense of wonder and confusion and magic that accompanies his best writing. It was the only really 'transcendent' work for me in this book, though several of the others I mentioned are very enjoyable as well. I understand the comparisons with Lovecraft, as these stories possess a similar story time-line and general atmosphere. I'm not a huge Lovecraft fan, but I like what I've read, and Smith seems like he'll fit in a similar category for me, someone whose stories I'll enjoy reading from time to time, but won't go too far out of my way to seek. I hear the tales of Zothique are his best works, so I'll wait to check those out before rendering my final judgement on Smith. But certainly he shows that he's capable of amazing things, if they aren't always present in this collection.
(Summer 2004)

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